CHURCH COUNCIL MINUTES -- June 8, 2006

Present: Pastor Joan, Pastor Chris, Mary Backlund, Dave Brabec (president),
       Jim Eitrheim, Sharon Ingvoldstad, Tami Lueck, Ernie Teie, John Wallin
       and John Windh
Absent: None

• Pastor Joan led an opening praise and thanksgiving response.
• Secretary’s report. M/S/P (Eitrheim/Teie) to approve the minutes of May 11, 2006, as distributed. M/S/P (Teie/Eitrheim) to publish just the highlights of each month’s minutes in the next month’s newsletter. Also publish a financial report. Complete minutes and financial reports are to be available for distribution in the church office.
• Treasurer’s report. Mary Backlund noted our May ’06 income of $34,284 was down compared to $42,692 in May ’05. But our YTD ’06 income through May was $201,521 compared to $181,319 in ’05. We discussed vacation policies, learned that our new Financial Secretary (Karen Wiele) began work this week, and heard that we have requested routine background checks for Lisa Houle, Laurie Winters and Karen Wiele. M/S/P (Eitrheim/Meier) to accept the Treasurer’s report.
• Pastor Joan (7:25) led a liturgy of confession and forgiveness and a discussion of Acts 2:38-47.

• The “40 Days” campaign  . . several small groups plan to continue meeting monthly, several groups did service projects, and 153 people received daily email devotions. Council thanks the small group hosts (Dan & Annette Frank, Denny & Karen Holmen, Mary & Dick Brumfield, Karen Clarine, Lisa Houle, Dick & Barb Peterson, Drew & Elizabeth Blowers, Kari Campion, John & Aimee Jambor, Buzz & Maureen Johnson, Lois Jensen, Del & Marvel Ring, Richard & Mavis Erickson, Kevin & Tammy Hedlund, Ann Bergin) and these coordinators: Peggy Carlson (Small Groups), Dan Frank (Communications), Steve Lanz (Media), Jim Eitrheim (Drama), Caroline Blanck (Celebration Luncheon) and Bev Siemens (Prayer Room); also the office staff (Sally Hodgson and Heather Grell) and the drama troupe (Daren Blanck, Chuck Nielsen, Rosemary Kraus, John Wallin, Diane Eitrheim, Danae Anderson, Judy Haggestad and Keith Haggestad).
• Pastor Joan commended the staff for handling a stressful May and also those who planned Sally’s retirement party.
• She will conduct a “check-in” performance review with all new staff three months after they begin work. Annual staff reviews will be conducted each October.
• M/S/P (Eitrhiem/Ingvoldstad) to elect Tom Larson and Bob Warneke to the Endowment Fund board, joining John Erickson, Bill Nemitz and Tim Bergin (plus the Senior Pastor and the Treasurer, ex officio).
• Handed out “Vision of a Faith-centered Council” (from the Alban Institute) and “Responding ‘Christianly’ to Criticism.” The former will be posted on our website and made available to those running for council.

• Senior High fundraising for the Mission Trip (to Boston) and the national youth meeting (in Texas) has gone fairly well. A few students still need help.
• Stacy, Pastor Joan and Pastor Chris are talking of modifying the confirmation curriculum while retaining the present format, structure and requirements.
• Joan Roberts will help with “friendly visits.”
• Thanks to the many Vacation Bible School volunteers and to Jim Eitrheim and his cast for the 40 Days dramas.

• Jim Eitrheim thanked those who took part in our recent searches. His committee is clarifying the job descriptions for the two custodian positions.
• Council voted formally to approve the hiring of Karen Wiele (M/Teie S/Meier) as Financial Secretary and Clinton Baker (M/Backlund S/Ingvoldstad) as Custodian. Council thanked Jim and the Personnel Committee for their work.

• Thanks to those behind Sally’s retirement party and to those who served several recent funerals.
• Sharon has organized refreshments for Cathy Taylor’s organ recital (June 28th).
• Brad Carlson has graciously offered to mentor those who organize our Blood Drive on September 14th.

• Council discussed filling this council seat, vacated by Aimee Jambor in March.
• Tami Lueck urged LCC to help form a program for homeless families in Crow Wing county. As part of the national Interfaith Hospitality Network (organized in 1986) and possibly a year away here, the program would enlist some 14 area churches, each of them to furnish several dozen people with an evening meal and overnight housing for one week every 2-3 months. MSP (Wallin/Eitrheim) to express our strong interest in this program and to explore the possibility of becoming a host congregation.

•  Vacation Bible School is going nicely. As a service component, the students will make about 20 blankets, possibly for Lutheran Social Services. Though we charged no fee this year, we did receive $300/400 in contributions from parents to defray part of our costs.
• The fee for Luther Crest Day Camp is $35 (maximum $70 per family), with registrations due July 3rd.
• Lisa has sent a survey to Sunday School parents and hopes to reconstitute a Children’s Ministry Team.

• We must continue to promote Katrina relief in the form of “relief kits” and $15 contributions.
• Mary introduced a purchase order policy, to be approved at our next meeting.
• Still revising the constitution and bylaws.
• Still deciding how to use the Holden Trust gift.
• Minnesota All-State Lutheran Choir contacted us about singing a concert here this month but they haven’t followed up with any specifics.

• A booklet called “Ministry Opportunity Guide” is now available.
• Council will discuss the booklet “The Great Commission” from 11:30 to 2:00 on Sunday, June 25th.
• Council thanked Peggy Carlson for her Synod Assembly report to the congregation. Council will respond to the three recommendations which ended her report, but the five minutes given tonight to New Business allowed no time to act on this important issue or any others.